AN: KXR DOES NOT OWN STAR WARS
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Star Wars
Legend of Thaigarus
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Trials and Tribulations; Chapter 8: Acceptance
It had been several days since the Flesh Raider incident and while Zaaron's physical injuries had healed his mind and spirit were still broken and confused. While for Nyla shook the shock of the attack off with ease Zaaron contemplated not the attack but his killing of the first Flesh Raider. After he had been taken to the infirmary his mother and another master had traced the trail he took to the Jedi temple and found the raider's lifeless body crumpled at the base of the three that severed its spine.
When Zaaron received the news he simply sat in his bed with a vacant look in his eyes. For the next few days Zaaron would complete his tasks, but nothing more or less. The way he walked was if his soul had left his body; a walking corpse.
Most everyone thought the reason for his lack of presence was the fact he took a life, but Zaaron had gone hunting with his father, he knew what taking a life felt like. No, it was the dreams that haunted him after the incident. For the past few nights he had three dreams that shook his faith in himself.
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In his first dream Zaaron stood in the center of a black void with a single light shining on him.
"You did well. You crushed the pathetic excuse of a life form into dust with your power." A voice said echoing across the room. Searching for the voice Zaaron looked in circles trying to find it, but he saw nothing.
"You have immense power! Why let the rules of the Jedi tell you how to use it? You could rule all your eyes see!" The voice said as if it were right behind him. Swinging around Zaaron was met with nothing behind him.
"Why resist it? You could be the most feared warrior in the entire galaxy! All would fear Mandalorian and Echani strength! Even the Emperor would fear you." The voice said still echoing.
"Who are you!?" Zaaron yelled into the darkness with his whole body shaking.
With a laugh the figure replied. "You haven't figured it out?"
Stepping from out of the darkness to stand before Zaaron the figure loomed over him wearing the robes of a Sith lord. "Why, I'm us!" The figure said showing its face with a huge grin.
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Many respected Zaaron's wish for privacy and would let him be unless absolutely necessary, but a rival sought to kick Zaaron while he was down.
"What's the matter Zaaron, that Flesh Raider didn't scare you did it?" A Kaleesh named Kymen taunted in the temple's courtyard. The two were surrounded by a small group of Padawans one of which was the source of Kymen's affection-Aurora. As he stood Zaaron gave a look of lethality to Kymen. Ever since their first lightsaber lesson Kymen had sought to best Zaaron, and as time went on Kymen began to develop an obsessive fixation on proving he was better than Zaaron. When Zaaron didn't reply Kymen continued his taunt.
"You were scared weren't you? So guess Mandalorians being the fiercest warriors wasn't true after all." Kymen goaded. Something in Zaaron snapped and with great speed kicked Kymen several feet across the tile of the courtyard. Running to his opponent Zaaron mounted him and began laying punch upon punch onto Kymen hitting anything he could find as rage filled the thirteen year olds body. This continued until a nearby master pulled Zaaron off of Kymen and escorted him to Grand Master Satele's Chambers.
As Zaaron was led to the Grand Master his second dream occurred throughout his mind.
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Unlike previous dreams where Zaaron stood in a black void this dream Zaaron saw unfold from a bird's eye. What seemed to once have been the plains of an agricultural world were consumed with flames, craters, and countless bodies strewn across. In the center of this battle field five figures battled, four were obviously Jedi wielding blades of emerald and sapphire. Surrounded by the four Jedi Masters a lone Sith wielding two blood red sabers combated them with ease. The Sith's robes swirled around his body as he maneuvered around the Masters, his sabers were barely more than a blur as he blocked each strike, with every passing moment the Sith's determination and power grew as the Jedi Masters became weak with fatigue and desperation. Finally with one devastating blow of Sith lightning the Sith ended all his adversaries lives. Putting away his blades the Sith looked on at the carnage he caused the countless bodies and machines that he laid waste to. With the beginning of a chuckle the figure began laughing manically at the destruction, and that figure bore the same face as the previous dream. That figure was Zaaron.
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"Are you even listening to me?" Grand Master Satele asked raising her voice. Shaken out of his dream Zaaron replied shamefully. "No master Satele I was not." Zaaron said with his eyes on the floor. Grand Master Satele frowned as she sensed Zaaron's turmoil. "What troubles you youngling?"
"I see myself, but I'm much older, stronger, faster, more powerful, but I've never been more afraid." Zaaron confessed.
Grand Master Satele was weary to press forward, but it needed to be done. "What do you see Zaaron?" Grand Master Satele asked laying her hand on his shoulder.
"I see myself, but I'm not a Jedi I'm Sith in all of them. In every one of them all I see is a monster, and it's not because I've killed, it's because the dark side twists me into one." Zaaron said with tears streaming down his face. When Master Satele tried to comfort him, Zaaron kindly but forcefully escaped her grip.
"Master Satele if it's alright I'd like to go home." Zaaron asked timidly still not making eye contact.
After Master Satele's approval Zaaron made his way home, but when he arrived he climbed to the top and sat on the roof as his final dream took place.
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In the throne room that Revan, the Exile Meetra Surik, and Lord Scourge faced the immortal Emperor Zaaron stood next to a figure shrouded in darkness even in his dream.
"Soon apprentice we shall rule the galaxy, and all will bow before us." The Emperor said in the voice of death itself.
With a smile the older Zaaron walked to the back of the throne and activated his lightsaber stabbing the Emperor in the back snuffing out his existence. "Wrong relic the galaxy shall fall before me and my apprentice." Zaaron said with a smile.
Before the dream could continue a booming voice yelled. "Enough!" In a flash Zaaron's dream was replaced with his current self in the courtyard of the Jedi Temple. With confusion written on his face Zaaron searched the courtyard until he saw the robes of a Jedi Master wearing the legendary mask of Revan. Walking to Zaaron Revan put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "The future is always in motion Zaaron; one mistake does not condemn you to oblivion. Remember that we are all sentient and it is in our nature to make mistakes. After all just take a look at all the good you could do." Revan said pointing behind Zaaron.
Turning around he saw another version of himself wearing the robes of a Jedi master, his Jedi self was currently surrounded by many young students each holding a training saber. His older self was playfully sparring with one of the younglings as he coached him.
A smile spread on Zaaron's face at the sight when Zaaron turned around he had a training saber in his hands. When he looked up he saw Revan in a light training stance slightly bouncing. With a smile Zaaron sparred with the legendary Jedi Revan in his dreams.
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When Yuuzahn came onto the roof for Zaaron that night he saw his son sleeping with a smile on his face. Picking up his son Yuuzahn carried him to his room and tucked him in his bed. As Yuuzahn left the room he looked back and smiled for he knew his son had finally Accepted.
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AN: Yes! We're almost halfway through with Trials and Tribulations! In the next chapter Zaaron will meet his Jedi Master. How did you guys like the chapter? I extended this one a little to make up for the last one. As always I can't wait for your reviews.-KXR